Late penalty robs Leicester of a point at Anfield

Liverpool 2:1 Leicester City

City were seconds away from a earning a point at Anfield on Saturday when a last minute penalty handed victory to Liverpool…

Brendan Rodgers made one change to his side as he returned his former club for the first time, with Maddison replacing Pérez.
Liverpool, looking to extend their 100% record this season, pressed City hard in the opening spell, and should have gone ahead in the 13th minute. Alexander-Arnold skinned Chilwell on the byline and crossed for an unmarked Milner, who volleyed over from 8 yards.
But City gradually managed to get a footing in the game, with Praet looking very impressive, and they forced a couple of corners.
Liverpool were misfiring up front and when Mané did get a sight of goal he fired his shot straight at Schmeichel.
A tight game was getting niggly, with Ndidi booked for a high foot on Milner, Alexander-Arnold escaping a card for catching Tielemans on the achilles, and Robertson seeing yellow for a foul on Maddison. From the resulting free-kick Söyüncü’s firm header forced a good save from Adrián, but the offside flag was raised.
It was an even contest at this point, but Liverpool took the lead five minutes before the break. A superb long ball up the left from Milner tempted Evans to try and intercept, but he couldn’t reach it and Mané raced through and fired a low shot into the bottom right hand corner.
Just before the break Barnes sent Vardy into the area but he was crowded out by the Reds’ defence.

Brendan Rodgers made a change for the second half bringing Albrighton on for Barnes. Soon after the restart Liverpool went close when Alexander-Arnold played a low ball in the six yard area and Salah got a tough on the stretch, but Schmeichel reacted well to parry it away.
Söyüncü then earned himself a yellow card, pulling Salah’s arm just before the Egyptian entered the penalty area.
Salah and Mané then passed their way through the City back line before Evans produced a fine tackle to deny the latter as he shaped to shoot.
In the final half hour the game opened up and more chances were created. Albrighton found Vardy with a great ball behind the defence but his chest down had too much weight allowing Adrián to come out and block.
At the other end Robertson went clear on goal down the left and blasted a fierce shot that knocked Schmeichel off his feet when he blocked it.
As play moved from end to end, a cross into Liverpool’s area was half cleared to Praet, who connected beautifully with a low shot, but it went inches wide of the left hand post. He was then replaced by Pérez.
City finally made a breakthrough in the 80th minute. With his back to goal, Pérez neatly controlled, turned and threaded a ball through to Maddison who slotted the ball under Adrián.
Choudhury replaced Maddison with four minutes remaining and soon found himself in the book for a heavy challenge on Salah.
As the game entered four minutes of time added on it looked as though Liverpool’s winning run was at an end, but there was to be a sting in the tail.
Albrighton won a challenge with Origi but the ball went into the penalty area, with Schmeichel coming out to claim but Mané threatening Albrighton tried to retain possession. Mané robbed him of the ball and then threw himself to the floor after the merest contact with his left foot. Unfortunately referee Chris Kavanagh bought it and pointed to the spot. VAR chose not to overrule a clear and obvious error and Milner sent Schmeichel the wrong way with his penalty.
Although City attempted a late barrage on Liverpool’s goal the Reds winning run continued.
After the final whistle Pérez was enraged at something Robertson had done and the pair had to be kept apart.
It was a tough way to lose after City had matched the European Champions, but City’s display, if not the result, underlined City’s top six credentials.

Brendan Rodgers commented: “To come from a goal behind, it looked in that second period that we could go on and win the game. And to concede a goal when we were in control of the situation. I thought it was very soft penalty, I didn’t think it was a clear and obvious penalty, that’s for sure. But when the referee gives it, it’s probably hard for VAR to go against that, so it was disappointing.”

Liverpool: Adrián, Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, van Dijk, Robertson, Wijnaldum (Henderson 78), Fabinho, Milner, Mané, Salah (Lallana 90), Firmino (Origi 78).
Substitutes: Keita, Gomez, Kelleher, Elliott.
Leicester: Schmeichel, Ricardo, Evans, Söyüncü, Chilwell, Ndidi, Barnes (Albrighton 45), Praet (Pérez 73), Tielemans, Maddison (Choudhury 86), Vardy.
Substitutes: Justin, Morgan, Gray, Ward.

Referee: Chris Kavanagh. Attendance: – –

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Leicester sweep Newcastle aside to regain third place

Leicester City 5:0 Newcastle United

City thumped Newcastle 5-0 at rainswept KPS on Sunday, with the visitors reduced to ten men just before the break…

Brendan Rodgers made one change to his side, with Praet in for the injured Maddison. United have won this fixture in the previous two seasons, but a repeat never looked likely as City overwhelmed them.
City’s first chance came in the second minute when Barnes crossed from the left but Dubravka smothered Pérez’s effort. An offside call looked very tight.
Newcastle went close in the 12th minute when Hayden hit a shot well wide, but Muto couldn’t sort his feet out to get a touch on it from 10 yards.
Pérez then lofted a cross to Tielemans at the far post and his volley was deflected into the side netting by Krafth. Tielemans raged at Craig Pawson when he awarded a goal kick.
But the frustration didn’t last long with City taking a 16th minute lead.
Ricardo picked up the ball in his own half, played a one two with Pérez, and surged through the open space towards goal. With no challenge forthcoming, he switched to his weaker left foot and guided a low shot inches inside the left hand post.

Two minutes later City almost went two up when Tielemans slotted a ball through to Chilwell, but the left-back’s shot from close in was blocked by Dubravka.
The 24th minute saw a booking for Vardy after he raced in to block a clearance from  Schar, leaving the defender floored and Vardy protesting his innocence.
A Barnes’ cross was punched by Dubravka as far as Praet, but his well-struck shot was blocked.
Newcastle then broke down the right through Schar, who opted to shoot from 40 yards having spotted Schmeichel out of his goal, but it drifted well wide.
With the game approaching half time City were in complete control, and United’s afternoon got worse when Hayden was shown a straight red for an awful challenge that caught Praet on the shin. It was difficult to see what he was protesting about as he took an age to leave the field.

The final action of the half saw Barnes, still looking for his first goal at the KPS firing just over from the edge of the area.

Nine minutes into the second half City put the game to bed with a second goal.
Praet swept a ball out to Barnes on the left, and he lobbed it over Lascelles to Vardy, who beat Dubravka at his near post from an acute angle.
Three minutes later City went further ahead when Praet crossed from the right, and a deflection off Dummett sent the ball past Dubravka.
Brendan Rodgers made his first change in the 58th minute, bringing on Albrighton for Barnes and he soon claimed an assist as City went 4-0 up in the 64th minute.
An elegant cross from Albrighton was nodded home from close in by Vardy.

It was turning into a miserable afternoon for Newcastle, but all credit to their fans who never stopped singing.
City had almost complete possession at this stage, and Rodgers brought on Choudhury and Gray for Praet as City probed for a fifth goal.
It arrived in the 90th minute: Chilwell delivered a ball into the box, Evans nodded it on and Ndidi produced a fine shot on the turn that beat Dubravka from 15 yards.
It put the lid on a fine performance, the biggest ever Premier League win, and saw City regain third place.

With many pundits beginning to think that Leicester are the real deal, Rodgers tried to play things down: “For us, we’re in a process of getting better and improving and today was a good measure of where we were at when we last played Newcastle, where we were disappointing here, we didn’t really know how to play and open up a team defensively. A few months on, the players have shown really good progress. There’s a lot of work to do. It’s a long season. The top two teams are at a really high level. Our job is to be as competitive as we can and see where it takes us.”

Leicester: Schmeichel, Ricardo, Evans, Söyüncü, Chilwell, Ndidi, Pérez (Gray 84), Praet (Choudhury 79), Tielemans, Barnes (Albrighton 58), Vardy.
Substitutes: Justin, Morgan, Ward, Iheanacho.
Newcastle: Dubravka, Krafth, Lascelles, Schär, Dummett, Hayden, Longstaff, Almirón (Yedlin 74), Muto (Ki Sung-yueng 45), Atsu, Joelinton (Carroll 63).
Substitutes: Saint-Maximin, Fernandez, Manquillo, Darlow.

Referee: Craig Pawson. Attendance: 32,168.

PHOTOS: Simon Kimber.

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Leicester outclass Luton in the Carabao Cup

Luton Town 0:4 Leicester City

City eased their way into the Carabao Cup 4th round with a 4-0 win over Luton at Kenilworth Road on Tuesday night…

Brendan Rodgers made seven changes, but still fielded a strong side, while Luton made ten changes.  James Justin made his City debut against the club he left in the summer.

City created the first chance in the 5th minute when Albrighton cut in from the left and hit a decent 22 yard shot that Shea had to tip round the post.
Fuchs then fired one over, before Tielemans almost beat Shea to the ball but caught the Hatters keeper in the challenge.
Luton had a decent spell for a while with McManaman impressing for the home side, but it was City who took a 33rd minute lead. Pérez came to meet Albrighton’s short corner and fed the ball back to Gray who shot across Shea and into the far corner.
Five minutes later Praet’s shot on the turn forced Shea into a good save.
Pérez had the ball in the net in the 39th minute, but the raised linesman’s flag meant that he still hadn’t broken his duck.
But City extended their lead two minutes before the break. A superb ball from Tielemans picked out Justin’s run into the box and he half-volleyed home from 6 yards.
He refused to celebrate, and earned a round of applause and a chorus of “He’s one of our own” from the home crowd.

City’s dominance increased after the break, and Morgan tested Shea with a shot after playing a neat one-two with Ndidi.
Ward had a quiet night in the City goal but reacted well to a fierce Brown shot, saving with his leg.
Brendan Rodgers made his first change with twenty minutes remaining, bringing on  Iheanacho for Pérez.
City then put the game beyond all doubt, going 3-0 up in the 78th minute. Iheanacho had a shot blocked by Shea, Gray dinked the loose ball across goal and Tielemans volleyed home.
Two minutes later Shea saved again from Iheanacho, but he got on the scoresheet in the 86th minute. Albrighton robbed Jones and the ball fell for Iheanacho who lobbed the keeper. Shea got a touch but couldn’t keep the ball out.

Luton 0-4 Leicester was a scoreline that conjures up memories for older City fans. That team of 1974 were thought to be on the verge of something special but it didn’t happen.
Time will tell if Rodgers’ team can build on this great start to the season.

Luton: Shea, Bolton, Jones, Sheehan, Potts, Berry, Mpanzu, Moncur (Brown 60), Butterfield, McManaman (LuaLua 72), Lee (Cornick 60).
Substitutes: Tunnicliffe, Pearson, Sluga, Bree.
Leicester: Ward, Justin, Morgan, Evans, Fuchs, Ndidi (Choudhury 77), Gray, Praet, Tielemans, Albrighton, Pérez (Iheanacho 71).
Substitutes: Schmeichel, Vardy, Barnes, Amartey, Ricardo.

Referee: Matt Donohue. Attendance: 8,260.

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Maddison strike sees off Spurs amid VAR controversy

Leicester City 2:1 Tottenham Hotspur

A superb display from City saw them overturn a Spurs lead at the KPS on Saturday,  with both sides having goals ruled out by VAR…

Brendan Rodgers make two changes to his side for this lunchtime kick off, with Barnes and Pérez in for Choudhury and Gray. It was a more attack-minded line-up than the one that started at Old Trafford, with Maddison in the central position that suits him best.

The game kicked off in sparkling September sunshine, and Spurs had the best of the opening spell. Son flashed a shot wide of the far post and then Kane thumped a long range effort straight into Schmeichel’s arms.
City then had a good spell, Maddison dancing his way into the area before curling a shot narrowly wide.
Two minutes later Maddison went on another run, rounding Winks and Alderweireld before forcing a near post save from Gazzaniga.
The pressure continued and City thought they had taken a 16th minute lead.
A Tielemans shot was spilled by Gazzaniga, Pérez was fouled by the keeper in a scramble before Ndidi bundled the ball over the line. With celebrations in full swing the dreaded VAR flashed up on the screens and after an interminable wait the goal was ruled out for offside.
Two minutes later Sissoko was lucky to see a yellow, rather than a red, after wiping out Maddison.
Spurs then had penalty appeals waved away when Rose collided with Evans in the area, as the frantic pace continued.
Vardy flashed a ball in from the left but Pérez was crowded out at the near post.
In an end to end battle it was Spurs who took a 28th minute lead. A backheel from Son set Kane up, and although a hearty nudge in the back from Söyüncü sent him sprawling he still managed to improvise a grounded shot past Schmeichel.

City pressed forward in search of an equaliser, Ricardo fired narrowly wide and then Tielemans fed Pérez in on the right but his near post shot was beaten away by Gazzaniga.
City couldn’t find a way through and went in a goal down at the break.

Early in the second half it looked as though City had moved up a gear.
Barnes cut in past Aurier on the left but his shot was headed clear by Alderweireld.
Then Chilwell hit a low cross that saw Vardy a yard short of converting.
In the 57th minute Tielemans sent Vardy in on goal but Gazzaniga got the slightest touch to divert it away from goal before Rose hacked clear.
Although City were on top at this stage, Spurs went close on the break from a City corner, Lamela setting up Son for the sort of chance he usually takes but he sent this one wide.
On the hour Barnes got his head to a Ricardo lobbed cross, but it drifted wide.
Barnes then fired narrowly wide, and it looked as though City must surely find an equaliser, but it was Spurs who had the ball in the net in the 64th minute.
Kane found Aurier in space and he lashed a shot that deflected off Chilwell and beat Schmeichel. The celebrations in the away end had begun to die down before VAR was announced. After another long wait it was ruled out, to the delight of the home crowd.
The margin of offside was utterly ridiculous, but City were still in the game.
Three minutes later, they were level.
Praet came on for Pérez and City set about Spurs again. Vardy crossed from the left,  the ball went behind Barnes waiting in the middle, but Ricardo was on hand to blast home via a deflection off Rose.

The game continued in end to end fashion. Maddison sent Vardy in on the right and his rising shot beat the angle of post and bar by inches.
Schmeichel then palmed away a Son cross before Kane missed the target with an ambitious overhead kick.
Rodgers made his second change in the 82nd minute, bringing Gray on for Barnes, who immediately picked up a yellow for a studs up challenge on Rose.
Choudhury then came on for Tielemans with six minutes remaining, and soon claimed himself an assist.
In the 85th minute Choudhury squared for Maddison, who took a touch before finding the bottom left hand corner with a 25 yarder that nearly lifted the roof off the KPS. It was his first goal of the season, and an absolute belter.

Following a heavy challenge Maddison was a passenger for the rest of the game including 6 minutes injury and VAR time, but City absorbed Spurs’ late pressure, with Söyüncü being in the right place at the right time to clear on a couple of occasions.
He then got a huge roar for going on a run forward to ease the pressure.
Spurs couldn’t find a way back and the ref’s whistle heralded a superb win that underlined City’s top six credentials.
They sat in second place before Man City’s 8-0 slaughter of Watford.

Brendan Rodgers wasn’t getting carried away by the league table: “At this moment, it’s about improving our game, bringing a level of emotion and intensity to the game that allows us to maximise the talents that we have. And on Saturday, against a top-class side, they were exceptional. With so many young players in the team, I think we can improve.It’s just about the consistency then.”

Leicester: Schmeichel, Ricardo, Evans, Söyüncü, Chilwell, Ndidi, Pérez (Praet 67), Tielemans (Choudhury 84), Maddison, Barnes (Gray 82), Vardy.
Substitutes: Justin, Morgan, Albrighton, Ward.
Tottenham: Gazzaniga, Aurier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose, Winks, Sissoko (Wanyama 67), Ndombele (Lucas Moura 86), Lamela (Eriksen 79), Son Heung-Min, Kane.
Substitutes: Dier, Skipp, Davies, Whiteman.

Referee: Paul Tierney. Attendance: 32,129.

PHOTOS: Simon Kimber.

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Tame Leicester edged out by Rashford penalty at Old Trafford

Manchester United 1:0 Leicester City

An eighth minute Rashford penalty proved to be the difference between City and United in a disappointing game at Old Trafford on Saturday…

Brendan Rodgers made two changes to his side with Gray, handed his first start of the season, and Choudhury in for Barnes and Albrighton.
Rarely had City travelled to Old Trafford with such a sense of expectation, and there was the added edge of Harry Maguire, who was booed by the travelling fans.

But it was United who went close in the 2nd minute. Ricardo floored James on the edge of the area and Pereira’s free-kick was heading just inside the near post before Schmeichel beat it away, colliding heavily with the post. It left him limping, but he soon recovered.
Two minutes later there was a chance at the other end. A huge ball forward by Schmeichel was nodded on by Vardy. Maddison outmanoeuvred Lindelöf and fired a shot from 8 yards that de Gea blocked with his knee.
But it was United who took an 8th minute lead. Söyüncü and Rashford chased a ball in the penalty area that was heading away from goal. Söyüncü challenged and got the ball, but Rashford made the most of the contact and Martin Atkinson pointed to the spot.
Rashford sent Schmeichel the wrong way to put United ahead.
The home side had their tails up for a spell and City were on the back foot, unable to put any moves together.
In a rare move forward Gray broke into the box but his progress was halted by Lindelöf.
Atkinson was incurring the wrath of the City fans, allowing several United fouls to pass, and then halting play with City on the attack, when James went down injured.
City began to press forward on the half hour and won a series of corners. One of them was half cleared to Chilwell on the edge of the area and he chested it down and launched a dipping shot, which de Gea clawed out from under the bar.
City dominated possession up to the break, but struggled to create any chances. Söyüncü had a shot charged down and it went meekly through to de Gea. Choudhury then combined well with Gray down the right, but his near post shot didn’t test the United keeper and City went in a goal down at the break.

Early in the second half Vardy out-witted Maguire down the right and flashed a low ball across goal, but no one was there to take advantage.
It was perhaps the only moment that Vardy had got the better of Maguire all game.
At the other end James cut in from the left and fired narrowly over the bar from the edge of the area. Mata then forced a save from Schmeichel as United enjoyed a decent spell.
Tielemans was then fouled on the edge of the area, but Maddison sent his free-kick narrowly wide.
Brendan Rodgers made his first change in the 57th minute, bringing Pérez on for Choudhury.
On hour Tielemans lined up a long-range effort but it flew high and wide of the target.
City had the lion’s share of possession by now, but couldn’t find a way through.
Barnes replaced Gray in the 66th minute.
Maddison earned a yellow card for a foul on McTominay, his frustration boiling over after they had clashed all afternoon.
With 8 minutes remaining United almost went further ahead when Rashford rattled the angle of post and bar with a 30-yard free kick.
City’s best chance of an equaliser came in time-added-on. A Pérez cross from the right was nodded away by Maguire but sat up for Ndidi. His shot went a yard wide of the right hand post.
City’s unbeaten run was over, and an opportunity to beat an under-strength United side had been missed.

Brendan Rodgers summed up: “I thought we deserved something from the game. We didn’t start well but we had a great chance to take the lead. We gave away a soft penalty and that ultimately decided the game. In the second half, we played well and it looked like it was coming but we couldn’t find that last pass.”

Man Utd: de Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelöf, Maguire, Young, McTominay, Matic (Fred 67), Pereira, Mata (Chong 70), James (Tuanzebe 90), Rashford.
Substitutes: Jones, Fred, Romero, Greenwood, Gomes.
Leicester: Schmeichel: Ricardo, Evans, Söyüncü, Chilwell, Ndidi, Gray (Barnes 68), Tielemans, Choudhury (Pérez 57), Maddison, Vardy.
Substitutes: Justin, Morgan, Albrighton, Ward, Praet.

Referee: Martin Atkinson. Attendance: 73,689.

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Vardy strikes twice as Leicester brush Bournemouth aside

Leicester City 3:1 AFC Bournemouth

Jamie Vardy’s two goals and an assist ensured a comfortable win over Bournemouth at the King Power Stadium on Saturday…

Brendan Rogers made four changes to the side that beat Newcastle, with Chilwell, Ndidi, Albrighton and Evans in for Fuchs, Choudhury, Morgan and Pérez.
A lively start saw both teams looking to go forward, but it was City who took an eleventh minute lead. Chilwell played a long ball out of defence and Vardy eluded his markers to lob a perfect half-volley over the stranded Ramsdale.

It was a great start for City, but their lead only lasted three minutes.
Fraser, advancing towards the penalty area, picked out Wilson’s clever diagonal run through City’s defence and he angled a low shot across Schmeichel for a neat finish.
City were dominant after the equaliser. Albrighton fired a shot wide when he should have set up Tielemans and then Maddison sent a header inches wide from an Albrighton cross.
Vardy hit a well struck shot straight at Ramsdale, and two minutes later caused the keeper a scare when he blocked his attempted clearance but the ball fell kindly for the keeper.
As City continued to press forward Söyüncü, having another fine game, shot narrowly wide. Albrighton then tried to put Vardy through but Cook intercepted. City were putting some good moves together but the final ball was letting them down.
However, they regained the lead four minutes before the break.
Vardy, out on the right, crashed his way through a challenge before flashing a ball across the face of goal, where Tielemans got a touch to restore City’s lead.

After scrambling the ball away during a rare Cherries attack, they took their lead down the tunnel.

City continued to boss the game after the break, Maddison sending a long range effort narrowly wide of the left hand post.
Play was then held up for a VAR review after Tielemans attempted a turn, that saw him catch Wilson on the ankle. Though unintentional, it looked bad and there was a sigh of relief when the no red card decision was made.

Brendan Rodgers made his first change in the 64th minute, bringing Gray on for Albrighton and he was involved in the move that saw Maddison pick out Barnes for a curling shot that was well saved by Ramsdale.
Bournemouth was still offering the occasional threat and Wilson burst into the area only to go down too easily under a challenge from Söyüncü, earning himself a yellow card for simulation.
Rodgers then tightened things up, bringing on Choudhury for Barnes.
A minute after this change, City extended their lead.
A one-two in the area between Vardy and Maddison was blocked but the loose ball fell  for Tielemans who prodded the ball through to Vardy who instinctively sidefooted home.
Solanke tested Schmeichel with a long range effort that the keeper did well to guide round the post, but Bournemouth looked a beaten side in the closing stages.
Fuchs replaced Maddison in the 86th minute, and City looked comfortable through 7 minutes of time added on.

It was a fine performance from City, with Vardy running himself into the ground and claiming two goals and an assist, and it saw City unbeaten going into the international break and sitting in third place.

Brendan Rodgers heaped praise on his striker: “He was unplayable today, I have always said it. He is a dream to work with, a player that can make the difference in this league. To have that type of talisman up front, for a manager or a coach it’s amazing, not just in his goals, two goals, different types of goals and he has shown his qualities there, but look how hard he works. The intensity, how he sets the team off in the press, and his hunger. Everyone follows behind him.”

Leicester: Schmeichel, Ricardo, Evans, Söyüncü, Chilwell, Ndidi, Albrighton (Gray 64), Tielemans, Maddison (Fuchs 86), Barnes (Choudhury 71), Vardy.
Substitutes: Justin, Ward, Pérez, Praet.
Bournemouth: Ramsdale, Smith (Ibe 64), Mepham, Cook, Aké, H Wilson (Solanke 64), Billing, Lerma, Fraser, King (Surman 79), C Wilson.
Substitutes: Boruc, Stacey, Rico, Simpson.

Referee: Peter Bankes. Attendance: 31,613.

PHOTOS: Simon Kimber.

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Schmeichel saves see Leicester advance in the Carabao Cup

Newcastle United 1: 1 Leicester City
(Leicester win 4:3 on penalties)

Kasper Schmeichel produced two saves in the penalty shoot-out to edge City past Newcastle in the Carabao Cup at St James’ Park on Wednesday night…

After recent seasons of under strength sides Brendan Rodgers’ starting XI showed his intent in the cup competitions with just two changes – Evans and Praet making way for Morgan and Barnes.
Steve Bruce was less willing to expose his first team, making seven changes.

City had a chance within a minute of the kick off, Pérez and Ricardo combining well down the right and into the penalty area, but Pérez’s effort from six yards was blocked. At the other end Shelvey’s 30 yard free kick comfortably cleared the crossbar.
City then had a bit of defending to do and Söyüncü picked up an uncomfortably early yellow card for a foul on Longstaff.
A patchy and physical game unfolded, before City took a 34th minute lead, thanks to a bit of luck. After a foul on Tielemans 30 yards out Maddison delivered a free-kick that didn’t appear to be troubling Darlow, before it took a big deflection off Ritchie in the wall, leaving the keeper stranded.
Another foul on Tielemans on the right, gave Maddison the opportunity to pick out Fuchs on the edge of the area, but his volley was blocked.
Five minutes before the break a Willems’ cross found Ritchie at the far post but his shot was blocked by Tielemans.
With two minutes of the half remaining tempers flared when Choudhury and Ritchie contested a 50-50 ball and the Newcastle winger was left writhing on the ground. It was a robust challenge from both players, but Choudhury got the ball. He looked aggrieved at getting a yellow card, while the home crowd in a half empty St James’ Park howled for a red. Ritchie had to go off, and Choudhury did not emerge for the second half, replaced by Praet.
Early in the second half Vardy, who had seen little of the ball, attempted to go round Darlow but Willems robbed him.
Newcastle levelled in the 53rd minute. Willems raced into the area to meet Schar’s 50 yard free-kick and with the merest touch from Ricardo he produced an Oscar-worthy swallow dive. It should have been a yellow card, but the loose ball fell for to Muto, who netted from five yards.
Three minutes later, Morgan limped off, replaced by Evans.
City pressed to retake the lead but Pérez, his every touch booed, sent one chance off target and another was blocked.
At the other end a Shelvey pile-driver from 40 yards was too close to Schmeichel to trouble the City keeper.
In a game lacking quality City put together a great move in time-added-on but Pérez sent his shot over when well-placed and there was no avoiding a penalty shoot-out.

This took place at the Gallowgate End and Fuchs sent Darlow the wrong way stroking the ball into the bottom right hand corner.
Muto then aimed top right, also sending Schmeichel the wrong way.
Maddison decided to make things more interesting, deceiving Darlow with a perfect Panenka.
Shelvey then placed his kick a little too close to Schmeichel who got down to his left for a fine save. Advantage City.
Tielemans smacked his into the top left, and Schar calmly rolled his bottom left.
But then Barnes’ effort was poor allowing Darlow to save.
The Newcastle fans joy was short-lived, with Schmeichel brilliantly tipping Hayden’s spot-kick round the left hand post.
Vardy stepped up to fire the ball past Darlow and send City into the third round.

It was a below-par performance from City, but they did the job and remain unbeaten this season.

Newcastle: Darlow, Krafth (Manquillo 50), Schär, Fernandez, Clark, Willems (Dummett 78), Longstaff, Shelvey, Hayden, Ritchie (Atsu 45), Muto.
Substitutes Dubravka, Ki Sung-yueng, Lascelles, Longstaff.
Leicester: Schmeichel, Ricardo, Morgan (Evans 57),  Söyüncü,  Fuchs, Pérez, Choudhury (Praet 45), Tielemans, Barnes, Maddison, Vardy.
Substitutes: Justin, Gray, Albrighton, Ward, Mendy.

Referee: Tim Robinson. Attendance: 22,727.

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